MOORE BACKS BILLS TO EASE HOUSING CRUNCH: Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday announced he would quarterback another effort to mitigate high housing costs in Maryland during the 90-day legislative session that begins next week. Moore is endorsing three bills meant to spur construction and increase housing in ways both big and small. They’re also a chance for Moore to notch wins on an issue he has prioritized before voters decide this year whether to give him a second term. Hallie Miller and Daniel Zawodny/The Baltimore Banner.
- An official with a lobbying group for Maryland county leaders, a key opponent last year, said county officials hope to come to agreement with the Moore administration on this year’s housing legislation. “I think 2026 will be a different story,” said Michael Sanderson, executive director for the Maryland Association of Counties. “We’ve had a lot of conversations leading up to this year, and I think that’s been productive.” Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
COMMENTARY: EXAGGERATED REPORTS ABOUT SQUATTERS UNDERMINES TENANT RIGHTS: Increasing foreclosures in recent months – from speculative rental mortgages, the Trump administration’s continuing war on federal workers (who are disproportionately Black women) and soaring rents and home prices – are putting more of our neighbors at risk of homelessness. Now, more than ever, policies that support safe, stable homes for all Maryland families are really important. Khalilah M. Harris and Katie Curran O’Malley/Baltimore Brew.
MOORE PROMISES ACTION ON UNLICENSED ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES: Gov. Wes Moore has directed his administration to take new steps in response to mounting allegations that vulnerable seniors are being exploited and “trafficked” through unlicensed assisted living facilities — a problem Spotlight on Maryland has reported for months and that state officials now acknowledge had largely escaped leadership’s attention. Gary Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
REPORT: JUVENILE CENTER PLAGUED BY UNSANITARY CONDITIONS, IMPROPER MEDICAL CARE: Unannounced inspections of the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center last year revealed a persistent rodent infestation, malfunctioning air conditioning, and a paraplegic child housed in the infirmary who was left sitting in his own waste. Ben Conarck/The Baltimore Banner.
WILKINS TO STEP DOWN HAS CHAIR OF BLACK CAUCUS: Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Dist. 20) will step down from her post as chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland as she assumes leadership of the powerful Ways and Means Committee in the state House of Delegates, the caucus announced Monday. Wilkins, whose district includes Silver Spring and Takoma Park, has led the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland since December 2022. Ceoli Jacoby and Louis Peck/Bethesda Today.
COMMENTARY: McCLAIN DELANEY SHOULD DROP CALL TO IMPEACH TRUMP: Rep. April McClain Delaney’s decision to pursue impeachment against President Trump, particularly over allegations related to actions involving Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, has drawn significant criticism. Many constituents feel this effort is a misallocation of time. Marc King/Maryland Reporter.
BA CO SUPER SEEKS TO BALANCE DIFFICULT SCHOOL BUDGET: For the third year in a row, Baltimore County Public Schools is facing another difficult budget season. Despite the $169 million of cuts in the last couple of years, tough decisions continue to plague Superintendent Myriam Rogers, who plans to present a balanced budget to the school board Jan. 13. Kristen Griffith/The Baltimore Banner.
CASSILLY CALLS FOR HARFORD SCHOOLS SUPER TO RESIGN AFTER AUDIO SURFACES: Harford County’s executive on Tuesday called for the resignation of its superintendent, Sean Bulson, after an audio recording raised questions about the educator’s actions during a conference in New Orleans. “I let someone in my room who basically just took everything in my room,” stated the caller, who refers to himself as Sean. A document shared by the law group online said the caller’s surname is Bulson. Kristen Griffith/The Baltimore Banner.
FREDERICK COUNCIL HIKES DAYCARE PROPERTY TAX CREDIT: The Frederick County Council unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday to raise a daycare property tax credit with a maximum of $3,000 to a maximum of $10,000 per year for up to five years. The tax credit will be available to two types of daycare providers: home-based providers and businesses that provide childcare on their properties. Erik Anderson/The Frederick News Post.
OCEAN CITY WANTS DECISION ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS, BUT CONSENSUS: After nearly a year of moratoriums, a voter referendum, and marathon council meetings, Ocean City officials say they are eager to put the town’s bitter short-term rental debate to rest — except no one can agree on what the final decision should look like. The fight over short-term rentals has been narrowly focused on R-1 residential and mobile home zoning districts, which together account for just over 300 of the resort’s roughly 9,000 licensed short-term rentals. Josh Davis/The Baltimore Sun.
Rep. April McClain Delaney’s effort to impeach Trump is not a “misallocation of time.” Indeed, U.S. Reps and Sens should spend as much time as they need to impeach and convict our criminal chief of state, ASAP. Thank you, Ms. Delaney!